since this has come to my attention, I might say a few words myself. Maybe even a few more, considering I will do this only this one time and then never again.
First of all: A huge thank you to all of you who voiced their opinions towards Anon.
And on Anon's behalf I want to apologize to you, Maria. They missed the right inbox for obviously various reasons - except maybe for one.
Anon, I'd like you to think about what your intentions were.
Did you want to criticise my work, Anon? (Work, that I do in my free time, for free, in a foreign language, as an absolute newbee and amateur?) Then:
1) Put your name under it.
2) Give constructive criticism. And since I do constructive criticism for a living, I have high standards on this one and I expect you to meet them.
3) Say it to my face. I mean it. I wouldn't even have problem having a coffee with you and discuss this. I'm curious if you are able to find more flaws in my writing than I do (which is soooo many^^).
If it's not that and you just wanted someone to share your opinion as some kind of support, then, again, my inbox would have been your go-to place. I think it is overrated as well. I - for the life of me - can not figure out why so many like the story. But that's the nature of taste, right, Anon?
Or did you want to criticise other people's taste with your comment, Anon? I hope you didn't because
1) That has been the completely wrong inbox, then. Again.
2) Your comment wouldn't have made a damn difference.
Can it be, that there's a story you'd like to see have way more responses, comments and kudos, Anon? Is that why you wrote that? If so, do you think this has helped in any way? Wouldn't your time have been better spent by writing a loving and supporting comment there? Or leave a few guest-kudos for the sake of it? Support your favorite author?
I don't believe that you are a writer yourself, Anon. You would have known about the links between words, meaning, addressee and intention. You would have anticipated that this was the wrong way.
The one reason, Anon, that comes to my mind and that at least somehow makes sense, is seeking attention. Going to a blog that is likely to answer to it instead of deleating it. Picking one of the more popular stories among part of the fandom. Zero risk for you.
If you, or anyone else, ever drops an ask like this in my inbox, be sure I'll delete it because saying something like this - cowardly anonymous for that matter - has no value and only reflects poorly on the person writing something like this in the context of a fan space that needs creators of all kinds to thrive. Even if anyone should write something like this about another creator, I'll make sure it won't see the light of day. Why taking the risk of making them feel bad and spreading negativity. The world is cold enough as it is.
Either way, I'd like to give you an advice. Before you post something or write something, Anon, think about what you want to achieve and if the way you're about to do it can actually have that effect.
If it is with negative intend: Leave it. You don't truly feel better after it anyway. And what's the point in hurting others exactly?
If you actually want to do something positive and don't know how, ask for support. From my experience, this is a really good place for that.
And, Anon, as a writer myself, we writers do not only give you a name to refer to, but with our stories we give you our time, thoughts, experiences, and among so much more, our courage to post it for everyone to see. Like Maria said, if you don't like it, just move on. But if you have to say something, then at least have the ounce of courage and post with your name.
Juten Tach och.
Silent_Howl
